Giving hens access to fresh grass is essential to their well being, because of all the goodies in the grass (think bugs, grit, insects and other tasty morsels!)
The answer to the question ‘do I need to move the chicken coop around’ is no - leaving the coop stationary is absolutely fine for your girls, and your backyard. So don’t feel the pressure to move it around, especially if you let your chickens out to roam during the day - they’re getting all the nutrients and free-ranging benefits that they need.
But, turning your coop into a ‘chicken tractor’ (a mobile coop) and moving it every so often also has its own unique benefits, which include:
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the chickens fertilize the yard (because there’s no floor), and you can move the coop to fertilize different patches
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when you move the coop to a fresh patch, the grass underneath has time to recover and regrow – so you’re not left with any bare patches. In order to prevent bare patches the chicken tractor needs to be moved every two-three days.
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you don’t need to have to constantly change their bedding (in the enclosure part of the coop), as you just move the chicken tractor to a different patch of grass
Read more about the benefits of chicken tractors here.
So, when it comes to the question of whether to move or not to move, whatever suits your lifestyle and backyard best is the answer. Both are great options, and will make for happy, healthy chickens!
There are so many other questions to consider when providing the best shelter and environment for your feathered friends. Getting the best coop to keep your flock happy and safe is a daunting task for all keepers. To build or to buy? Do you know how many nesting boxes & perches you need? Do you know how much space you need & why? Choosing the perfect coop requires the right knowledge and equipment. You don't want to have all the gear and no idea!
Cluckily for us, our friends at Chickenpedia have created a Coop Sweet Coop course filled with advice and information to help your search. Find out all the options when buying or building a new coop including the best materials, sizes and locations. This extensive course will give you the confidence to make the right decision on a suitable and safe home for your feathered friends like a proper eggspert. This is why I recommend Chickenpedia to all my readers!
Click here to check out their beginner-friendly courses today!
